Event Details

The Heart of Creativity: Mindfulness and the Arts, 26-27 September 2015

Event: 2-Day Retreat: The Heart of Creativity: Mindfulness and the Arts: Weekend Retreat for Artists of all Art Forms.

Facilitator: Susanne Olbrich and Suzanne Dance.Venue: Skye Room, Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB.Dates: Saturday 26 - Sunday 27 September 2015.Time: Registration: 9.30am-10am. Retreat Days: 10am-5pm.Event Description: This is a weekend of meditation, creative deepening and community building for all who work in the field of creativity – as creators, performers, educators or therapists. Mindfulness practice has the capacity to renew body and mind and to nourish the heart. Through mindful sitting, walking and eating together, we will slow down and reconnect with the source of peace and joy inside. The retreat includes creative explorations across art forms (weather permitting outdoors), as well as time for reflection and for networking. Suitable for those new to mindfulness meditation as well as for experienced practitioners.

Susanne Olbrich has been engaged in mindfulness practice since 1996. A lay member of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing, she also studied Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Bangor University. Susanne’s work as a pianist and composer embraces classical, jazz, folk and world music as well as a love for experiment. She has been offering creative music workshops in Scotland and Germany, collaborating with music schools, the NHS, adult education providers and community groups. In 2012 she co-founded the Mindful Artists Network (www.mindful-artists.org). Susanne lives in the Findhorn community. www.susanneolbrich.net

Suzanne Dance has 20 years of experience of mindfulness practice. She is a facilitator of the Edinburgh Wild Geese Sangha, with the Community of Interbeing. Suzanne is an actor trained at RSAMD, with extensive experience in theatre, film and television in Scotland. Recent work includes: ‘Mary Magdalene’, a self-created dance and text based piece, and ‘Leave to Remain’, an exploration of grief, loss and death. Suzanne also works with ACTive INquiry, a Theatre of the Oppressed Company that seeks to address issues of social justice. This year she has worked with Shakti Womens Aid on the theme of personal and community resilience. Suzanne is also a teacher of well-being, mindfulness and relaxation to a wide variety of groups.